Tent structure

ABSTRACT

A tent structure comprises a sheet of material adapted to function as a tent cover. The sheet has a plurality of spaced substantially parallel pockets formed on one surface thereof. Each of a plurality of inflatable tubes is housed in a corresponding one of the pockets of the sheet. Each of the tubes has a valve device for selectively inflating and deflating it. Thus, in inflated condition, the tubes stand upright as a plurality of substantially parallel arches supporting the sheet therein.

United States Patent Wertman Aug. 19, 1975 [54] TENT STRUCTURE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventor: Charles Weltma", Kirkland 821,439 10/1959 United Kingdom 52/2 Lake, Canada [73] Assignee: The Raymond Lee Organization, P imary ExaminerErnest R. Purser Inc., New York, NY a part Assistant Examiner-James L. Ridgill, Jr. interest Attorney, Agent, or FirmDaniel Jay Tick [22] Filed: Apr. 8, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 458,662

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,297,150 9/1942 Hunter 2,830,606 4/1958 Daugherty 2,946,337 7/1960 Wolsllin 52/2 [57] ABSTRACT 2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Ila r13 PATENTEU AUB1 9 i975 TENT STRUCTURE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a tent structure.

Objects of the invention are to provide a tent structure of simple structure, which is inexpensive in manufacture, is compressible to a small compact size which is readily transported, is assembled with facility, rapidity, ease and convenience, and functions, when assembled, as a sturdy and efficient tent structure.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the tent structure of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of part of a tube of the tent structure of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of part of the tent structure of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of another part of the tent structure of the invention.

In the FIGS., the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.-

The tent structure of the invention comprises a sheet of material 1 (FIGS. 1 and 4) adapted to function as a tent cover. The sheet 1 has a plurality of spaced substantially parallel pockets 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, of which a pocket 6, for example, is shown on an enlarged scale in each of FIGS. 2 and 3 and the pockets 5 and 6 are shown in FIG. 4, formed on one surface thereof. The pockets 2 to 6 are preferably formed on the outer surface of the sheet of material 1.

A plurality of inflatable tubes, of which two tubes 7 and 8 are shown in FIG. 4, are provided. Each of the tubes is housed in a corresponding one of the pockets 2 to 6 of the sheet 1 and each has a valve device such as, for example, the valve devices 9 and 10 of the tubes 7 and 8 (FIG. 4), for selectively inflating and deflating the tube.

In an alternate form of the invention, the pockets 2 to 6 themselves are inflatable and each has a valve device ll, 12, 13, 14 and 15, respectively, for selectively inflating and deflating the pocket directly, as shown in FIG. 1.

When the pockets 2 to 6 for the tubes 7, 8, and so on, are inflated, the pockets and tubes stand upright as a plurality of substantially parallel arches, as shown in FIG. 1, supporting the sheet 1 therein.

A second sheet of material 16 (FIG. 4) may be provided as a tent cover and has a plurality of fasteners thereon and on the pockets 2 to 6 such as, for example, fasteners 17 and 18, as shown in FIG. 4, formed in the third sheet 1. The fasteners l7, l8, and so on, removably fasten the second sheet 16 on the outside of the arches with an air space 19 (FIG. 4) between the first and second sheets. This acts as insulation and enables the tent structure of the invention to be used in cold weather.

A floor 20 (FIG. 1) may be provided in the tent structure and is raised above the ground. The floor 20 includes an inflatable envelope 21 (FIG. 3) which functions as an air mattress and which has a valve device 22 for selectively inflating and deflating it.

A false inner wall may be provided at the entrance to the tent structure and at the back of the tent structure. The false inner walls may be snapped into place about 4 to 6 inches inside the outer front wall and the outer back wall, and function to further insulate the structure.

A roof may be provided over the entrance to the tent structure.

The tubes may be either flat or round at their bottoms.

While the invention has been described by means of specific examples and in specific embodiments, I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A tent structure, comprising a first sheet of material functioning as a tent cover, said sheet having a plurality of spaced substantially parallel pockets formed on one surface thereof;

a plurality of independently inflatable tubes, each housed in a corresponding one of the pockets of the sheet and each having a valve device selectively inflating and deflating it whereby in inflated condition the tubes stand upright as a plurality of substantially parallel arches supporting the sheet therein; and

a second sheet of material functioning as a tent cover and fastening means on the second sheet and on pockets formed in the first sheet for removably fastening the second sheet on the outside of the arches with an air space determined by the thickness of the inflated tubes between the first and second sheets.

2. A tent structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a floor in the tent structure raised above the ground and including an inflatable envelope functioning as an air mattress and having a valve device for selectively inflating and deflating it. 

1. A tent structure, comprising a first sheet of material functioning as a tent cover, said sheet having a plurality of spaced substantially parallel pockets formed on one surface thereof; a plurality of independently inflatable tubes, each housed in a corresponding one of the pockets of the sheet and each having a valve device selectively inflating and deflating it whereby in inflated condition the tubes stand upright as a plurality of substantially parallel arches supporting the sheet therein; and a second sheet of material functioning as a tent cover and fastening means on the second sheet and on pockets formed in the first sheet for removably fastening the second sheet on the outside of the arches with an air space determined by the thickness of the inflated tubes between the first and second sheets.
 2. A tent structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a floor in the tent structure raised above the ground and including an inflatable envelope functioning as an air mattress and having a valve device for selectively inflating and deflating it. 